Classic car collectors from around the world flock to Monterey Peninsula each summer for five days of auto displays, auctions, races and parties with industry VIPs, media and celebrities. For the staff at JMPR Public Relations Inc., there is work to be done amid the luxury and elegance. Firm founder and President Joe Molina refers to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Concorso Italiano and other events that took place Aug. 15 to 19 as a combination of the Oscars, the Golden Globes and every other entertainment industry awards show. For the employees of his Woodland Hills firm, that means all hands are on deck. Seven staffers accompanied Molina up the coast to handle high-end auto industry clients and to pitch the firm’s services to potential clients. Those who stayed behind in the Valley worked the phones to coordinate media coverage. “We came out with two to three new clients, two of which will dramatically change the face of this agency,” said Molina, who has attended the Monterey festivities for more than 30 years. This year, 11 of the firm’s clients attended the events. On Aug. 18, the firm did a one-hour presentation to a European carmaker and then scooted off to a private party Molina put together for auto industry professionals. In attendance were representatives from the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. and Terry Karges, the executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. After the five days, Molina rewards his staff for all the hours they put in with a day off. He, too, needs time to rest. “I had to go decompress at Big Sur for three days with my wife,” Molina said. –Mark R. Madler
PR Firm Revs Up For Car Shows
